UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEURSHIP - THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF AMERICAN-UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER UNITS

Mechanisms for increasing technology transfer between universities and industry have proliferated rapidly in the United States as institutions of higher education have become much more entrepreneurial. The economic implications of these activities have received substantial attention and the sociological aspects of this process have been vigorously debated (e.g., the effect of university-industry relationships on academic integrity). Much less consideration has been given to the successful organization and management of these emerging university 'service' units. The study presents results of a national survey of the organization, management, and perceived performance effectiveness of university technology transfer units, Units studied included: licensing and patenting offices (units seeking commercial applications for university research); small business development centers (units providing technical or managerial assistance to entrepreneurs or small businesses); research and technology centers (units operating or participating in facilities for the development of new technology); incubators (units managing facilities in support of new technology-based businesses); and investment/endowment offices (units utilizing the university's financial resources for equity in start-up businesses). The implications of the research for university management and government policy are explored.